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Rogers' spring begins with hiccup against Tribe

Brewers pitchers Yovani Gallardo and Mark Rogers talk about Milwaukee's young rotation and expectations for the upcoming season

By Adam McCalvy

PHOENIX -- Carlos Santana hit a two-run home run and Ezequiel Carrera added a solo shot as an Indians split squad beat the Brewers, 7-4, at Maryvale Baseball Park on Sunday.

Carrera also walked twice and scored two runs to help the Indians overcome a four-run Brewers first inning against Indians starter Carlos Carrasco, who pitched against Major League hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2011. Other Indians pitchers fared better, with Scott Kazmir, Trevor Bauer and David Huff each delivering two scoreless innings.

Kazmir allowed a hit with one strikeout. Bauer surrendered two hits but struck out two.

Both teams' starters struggled in the first inning.

Milwaukee's Mark Rogers made his first-career Cactus League start and allowed two runs on two hits, three walks and a wild pitch in 1 2/3 innings, including a two-run Indians first inning that included a trio of stolen bases.

Rogers said he was simply out of rhythm.

"I wasn't free and easy like I have been in my bullpen sessions," he said. "I just felt like I put a little too much pressure on myself trying to be perfect, rather than just going up there to throw the ball. I'll try to forget about this one and take it for what it is, the first start of the year. There were a lot of things I can build off of."

For Cleveland, Carrasco made his first Major League start since Aug. 3, 2011, allowing four Brewers runs, three earned, on four hits and a walk in the first inning. Caleb Gindl's two-out, two-run single was the biggest hit, and Indians defenders made Carrasco's work more difficult by committing a pair of errors.

"My arm's great," Carrasco said. "I got too excited today for the first time. It was my first outing today. I've got a couple more. This is what happened and I can't do anything about it."

Up next: Right-handers Hiram Burgos and Tyler Thornburg, expected to begin the season as the top two starters at Triple-A Nashville, will each lead a Brewers split squad on Monday. Burgos will start against the Padres at Maryvale Baseball Park, and Thornburg draws the Reds in Goodyear, Ariz., with both games underway at 2:05 p.m. CT. The home game against the Padres will be available via a free audio webcast on Brewers.com.

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.